The international and defense policies which I have outlined will enable us to negotiate from a position of strength as we hold our resolute course toward a peaceful world.  We now turn to matters which are normally characterized as domestic, well realizing that what we do abroad affects every problem at home—­from the amount of taxes to our very state of mind.

INTERNAL SECURITY

Under the standards established for the new employee security program, more than 2,200 employees have been separated from the Federal government.  Our national security demands that the investigation of new employees and the evaluation of derogatory information respecting present employees be expedited and concluded at the earliest possible date.  I shall recommend that the Congress provide additional funds where necessary to speed these important procedures.

From the special employment standards of the Federal government I turn now to a matter relating to American citizenship.  The subversive character of the Communist Party in the United States has been clearly demonstrated in many ways, including court proceedings.  We should recognize by law a fact that is plain to all thoughtful citizens-that we are dealing here with actions akin to treason—­that when a citizen knowingly participates in the Communist conspiracy he no longer holds allegiance to the United States.

I recommend that Congress enact legislation to provide that a citizen of the United States who is convicted in the courts of hereafter conspiring to advocate the overthrow of this government by force or violence be treated as having, by such act, renounced his allegiance to the United States and forfeited his United States citizenship.

In addition, the Attorney General will soon appear before your Committees to present his recommendations for needed additional legal weapons with which to combat subversion in our country and to deal with the question of claimed immunity.

II.  STRONG ECONOMY

I turn now to the second great purpose of our government:  Along with the protection of freedom, the maintenance of a strong and growing economy.

The American economy is one of the wonders of the world.  It undergirds our international position, our military security, and the standard of living of every citizen.  This Administration is determined to keep our economy strong and to keep it growing.

At this moment we are in transition from a wartime to a peacetime economy.  I am confident that we can complete this transition without serious interruption in our economic growth.  But we shall not leave this vital matter to chance.  Economic preparedness is fully as important to the nation as military preparedness.